Garrick Reed Layman1975 - 2018

When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.

43 years old

Born on January 14, 1975 in District of Columbia, United States.

Passed away on May 12, 2018 in Peachtree City, Georgia, United States.

A celebration of Garrick's life will be on Saturday June 16th from 3PM-7PM. It will be at the Centennial club house in Peachtree City. Anyone who knew Garrick or knows myself or the kids is welcome to attend. We are planning on making this a fun event and it will be very much how Garrick would have wanted it to be. There will be food, corn hole, and even a water bounce house for the kids. So please come and join us for a fun afternoon.

This memorial website was created in memory of Garrick Layman 43 years old, born on January 14, 1975 and passed away on May 12, 2018. We will remember him forever.

Garrick was diagnosed with melanoma over 4 years ago but he never wanted to be defined by his illness. He didn’t want people to treat him differently because he had cancer. He wanted to continue living his life to the fullest, celebrating life’s moments with his friends and family as he had always done.

There were three things Garrick loved most in this world: his family, sports and traveling. Whenever he had the opportunity to combine all three he did. Conveniently all of our vacations seemed to revolve around a sporting event. When we traveled to Phoenix, we went to a Phoenix Suns game; a trip to Boston – we would take in a Red Sox game; in Chicago to visit family, we went to a White Sox or Cubs game.

He was always involved with coaching the boys’ soccer, baseball, and basketball teams. He hated to sit on the sidelines and coaching allowed him to combine two of his greatest loves: family and sports. He would spend hours making line ups for his teams. Some joked he was the best 1st/2nd grade basketball coach they had ever seen because he won a championship with both our boys at this age level. He loved every minute of the time he spent coaching our sons.

Vacations...well they were not for relaxing. They were for exploring. While in the Bahamas, he insisted I do a walking tour of the historical center instead of sitting on the beach because there was so much to see and learn. In Arizona, we drove from Phoenix, to the Grand Canyon, and to Monument Valley with our 2 boys that are known for getting car sick. He had such a thirst for knowledge and loved exploring new places. It seems he never lost that wide-eyed wonder of childhood when everything about the world excites you.

He was also athletic and seemed to excel at all sports. He could out shoot everyone at basketball, hit a baseball over the fence at the little league fields, and kick field goals at the football fields. He was able to do all of those things with very little effort and it always seemed to come so naturally to him. He tried water skiing for the first time at the age of 36 and by the end of the week could ski on one ski. I was never able to beat him at a game of ping pong, pop-a-shot or corn hole and he definitely didn’t show me any mercy. He was competitive and I loved that about him.

He was fanatical about the Florida Gators, Chicago Cubs, Washington Redskins, and Philadelphia Flyers. He embraced the Atlanta Falcons, Hawks, and Braves when we moved to the Atlanta area too. He even tolerated my allegiance to the Chicago White Sox and spent many Cubs vs Sox games trying to get under my skin, which was another side of him I adored. His sense of humor.

Garrick would want to be remembered as a great dad, coach, and husband. He would want people to remember his dry sense of humor and that if he was poking fun at you, it meant that he liked you. I want people to remember how good it felt to be part of his circle of friends. He always told me, you don't need a lot of friends, just one good one.

MEMORIAL INFORMATION:

More information to follow.

For those that cannot attend and even for those that can, at the opening of college football season, he would want you to make a toast to the Florida Gators in his memory, even if you are an Ohio State fan.

My husband Jeremy and I meet Garrick and Ann through PTC Basketball & PTC Elementary School. We were instantly drawn to them because of how nice they were!! Jeremy was even more excited when he found out they were Gator fans because he too is a Gator fan. They would talk about Florida's football season and what the next season would bring. Although I am a Bulldog fan I would join in the conversation, mostly with razzing. Our boys had a great time both playing on the same team as well as opposing teams. It was always great to see them at the games!! Garrick will truly be missed!! To Ann, Joey, Nathan, family and friends you are all in our thoughts and prayers. There are not very many occasions I say this, but in honor of Garrick ~ Go Gators!!

It has been a pleasure to see a glimpse of your lives and to read all these stories of your loving husband and best friend. I can't begin to imagine the pain of your loss. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. Big hugs.

I only met Garrick through Ann, one of my college roommates, but I just remember being so happy and thankful when Ann found The One because I love her and she deserves happiness. This is now the opposite of happiness, but still every second with Garrick on this earth was worth it, for Ann and for their beautiful boys.
Ann, I believe in a Good and Gentle Saviour, who I know will hold you and the boys so tight through every step of this. Feel free to yell at Him. He can take it, and He still will never leave you. I am so thankful for our friendship. Hugs, love, and CONSTANT prayers for you and the boys. Love, Jen

By Jimmy Shin :
I’m so saddened to hear about Garrick. Although we lost touch, I remember when we were matched up as roommates freshman year in Optometry school back in ‘97, his encouraging pats on the back, his smooth skills on the basketball court, his love of sports, and his genuine kindness. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your boys.

By Jill Dunlap:
We are heartbroken for you. Garrick was such a genuinely kind person. He had such a big smile & bigger heart. Some of my favorite ICO memories were with him-from Cub games to concerts, trips to Vegas & Panama City...he will certainly be missed but not forgotten! Love and prayers to you and your boys❤️

By Karen Marie Elizabeth:
Garrick was a coworker and friend. Ann Saracini Layman says it all; he was a fellow Gator fanatic and we quickly grew fond of each other via his dry sense of humor. I’ll remember his long strides back and forth into the offices at north Fort Myers (because I was jealous of his long legs). I always envied his calm and collected demeanor, which was actually just his easy going, happy self. His patients loved him and were fiercely loyal to him. Shoot those hoops Garrick. Prayers for Ann and the boys. ❤️

From Jeff Pietrzyk:
Husband, father, doctor, coach, friend, Gator, and a damn good QB. The pictures will help those left behind to remember, but they can’t do justice to the stories and adventures we all shared with you. I’ll miss our texts anytime something insane happens in the sports world. Somewhere you are resting easy now while back here Jay-Z is undoubtably writing your theme song. Peace, love, comfort, and strength to Ann, the boys, and your families. Until next time my friend...

I did not personally know Garrick but his mom & dad are very special to me! There is no god when stuff like this happens. But... it does .... and there is a god ... and I am just an understory trying to make sense of what is going on. My wish to the family is one of strength. That is what it will take to fight through the stuff my God... your God ... our God is testing us with. We will be stronger in the end ... but if will be different.
Embrace your new future. I try to understand mine each day. (Ten minutes of consultation / mediation / prayer, keeps me on track). Where I end up .. I do not know but I'm hoping I'll be with Garrick ... talking over what people on earth are doing.

Garrick Dr Layman) I had the pleasure working with you at FEH, yourquiet disposition intimated me at first, but I I knew Your wife and sons before you So I knew with that adoreable family You HAD to be Ok! I was right, just a big guy with a soft heart, I was so touched when you hugged me on my last day of work